Does your brain ever get stuck? Mine keeps going in the same cycle of indecision and fear. Today I decided to try something new and try Fresh Paint - a Wiindows digital drawing program. I grabbed a branch of white pine that was laying in the trail and attempted to...

Now that I am living and working on a schedule that is my own time and place I have returned a couple times to my childhood home. My father is 93. He does not see or hear very well. It is good that he can't see me roll my eyes when I repeat what I have said for the...

I dream of clarity. Simplified focus on where I am going. But instead I often get interim chaos. Just like this closet. These transitional times are periods of growth. My hope is that there is such confusion at some times because you are about to make a huge leap...

In January we went to a portion of the West Seattle Art Walk. We started a little late and only made it to three businesses. After the event I marveled at the way these small business owners, artists and musicians had put themselves out there, exposing themselves and...

I started this project in November thinking it had potential for the holidays. I took this stained lace shirt and this beautiful but dated pink silk shirt to try to make something festive. I was wrong. At least for me.The first go round made this look...

On Thanksgiving we had a marvelous turkey feast at my sister in laws house. She lives in the small town of Shine on the far end of the Hood Canal Bridge. I suggested we spend the weekend on the peninsula. The weather was marginal but miraculously we did not get...

This week's ride was wet, wild and full of mishaps. It began with the intent to get into downtown Seattle for a memorial without needing to worry about traffic from the pro football game that was also going on. And to save some $$ And to eliminate a car trip. It was...

Who would guess at 59 I would still raid my dad's closet. He is 92 and has kept everything he ever owned even though he admits he is overwhelmed by it. He is of the generation that kept everything. Even things his dad had kept and things other people gave him even...

I continue to test new ideas and patterns. This shawl collar shirt is my latest. It is my test run for a more flattering bicycle shirt. I love it! I disappointed myself by not adding pockets. At one point I swore everything I made should work for bicycling and have...

Each year we hike 100 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail in an effort to one day complete the trail. Each year it is interesting to see what people are wearing and how they pack. Since we are still in Washington state near the northern terminus and the end of the trail...

Last fall I went to the quilt show (even though I don't quilt- quilting seems slower even than garment making) in Puyallup. I had been looking for a new sewing machine and knew there would be several styles there to test. I browsed all the booths and the exhibitors...

At first I hesitated. The "spring fling" was the day after we got back from a three week trip. Didn't I need to stay home and catch up? Then I remembered - Catch up for what? I am on a 2 year leave of absence. I can schedule what feel like frivolous things back to...

This post was started two hours ago and I am just now starting the first sentence. So not only am I having trouble figuring out what to focus on, I am having trouble focusing on what I choose. Since I started I decided to have lunch, manage my airbnb listing and put...

This week I went through fabrics I bought last summer and have never gotten around to using. One of them was a reversible mid weight knit with a lovely smooth texture that is perfect for a jacket. Since it is a reversible fabric I needed a simple pattern where I...

As you may know I have been experimenting with making my own patterns. I have been stuck for a while trying to get the pants and bodice I drafted to be perfect (I know perfection isn't always great). It has been draining. So I looked through my fabric stash and...

My original intention for this site was to help teach others to find their colors and style. It has taken me 18 months to find my own so how can I help anyone else? I think the answer is to encourage you to experiment until you find the answer. A camera has really...

When I visited my dad in Michigan in January I found myself with not a lot to do. I had seriously injured my hamstring while ice skating and it was snowing so driving wasn't an option. I was starting to get a case of cabin fever so I decided to dig through the drawers...

This fabric had been in my stash since the sewing expo in Puyallup about 4 years ago. I had since determined that black is not a great color on me and had decided to use it as my muslin fabric for a knit tunic pattern I was developing. When I took it to a sewing...